The British and Portuguese air forces conducted a joint exercise at Montijo Air Base, located near Lisbon, Portugal. Called "Montijo Merlin", the training was intended to provide and enhance the chemistry between the two militaries and the experience of student pilots and flight crew in operational deployment across continental airspace. 

"Even though we fly the same aircraft, there was a lot we could learn from each other in the way we operate. Exercise Montijo is the perfect opportunity to conduct numerous training tests where we improve our skills: from flying at low altitude to aerial artillery, from flying in the mountains to the use of the winch, from fast roping to intervention at sea", explained Richard Bartram, commander of the 846th Naval Air Squadron (NAS). 

The 846th Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy and the 751st Squadron of the Portuguese Air Force are involved in the training, strengthening the long-standing relationship between the United Kingdom and Portugal. The British AW-101 Merlin Mk 4 helicopters were in action, which also practiced search and rescue missions (SAR, Search and Rescue), simulating the evacuation of wounded from a container ship.